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A refrigerator is a machine designed to remove heat from a liquid by evaporating a refrigerant vapor from the liquid in a heat exchange vessel. Small liquid chillers play a similar role but do so on a more miniature scale, often using water as a cooling medium.
Generally, liquid chillers are categorized depending on the type of heat exchanger they use and the type of refrigerant they utilize.
Understanding the specifications is crucial for knowing how liquid chillers function. Having a brief knowledge of the specifications will help one know what to expect from the performance of this equipment.
Cooling Capacity
Small liquid chillers' cooling capacity range is typically between 1 ton to 20 tons (12,000 BTU to 240,000 BTU) per hour. Some models can even have up to 200 tons of cooling capacity. This is equivalent to the amount of heat removal they can achieve in a given time.
Operating Temperature
The evaporation temperature range of small liquid chillers can vary, typically from -15°C (5°F) to 10°C (50°F). This determines the lowest temperature at which the chiller can operate effectively.
Energy Efficiency
Small liquid chillers are often given an energy efficiency ratio (EER) or coefficient of performance (COP). The EER typically ranges from 3.0 to 5.5, while the COP ranges from 1.5 to 6.0. These numbers may vary according to the particular model in question.
Power Consumption
Small liquid chillers typically use between 1.5 kW and 10 kW. The power they consume depends on factors like their cooling capacity, efficiency, and operational conditions.
Refrigerant Type
Small liquid chillers use different refrigerants depending on their model. Common types are R134a, R404A, and R407C.
Physical Dimensions
Small liquid chillers physical dimensions vary according to whether it is an air-cooled chiller or a water-cooled chiller. An example of a dimensional measurement is a length of 60 inches (1524 mm), a width of 42 inches (1067 mm), and a height of 48 inches (1219 mm).
Operating Ambient Conditions
Small liquid chillers can function in a variety of environments, including indoor and outdoor settings. The ambient temperature around them must be within a certain range, say -10°C (14°F) to 50°C (122°F), and the humidity must not exceed 90% in order for them to operate properly.
To maintain optimal performance and extend the lifespan of small liquid chillers, regular maintenance is crucial. Some simple routine maintenance tips are:
Small industrial liquid chillers are essential machines in different industries. The following are some common application scenarios where small liquid coolers are useful:
Food and beverage industry
Small liquid chillers are useful in food processing and dairy industries to cool and preserve perishable products. For instance, in the meat processing industry, small liquid chillers help maintain the quality of meat by preventing the growth of bacteria. Also, the chillers help maintain the fresh quality of juices, carbonated drinks, and breweries by controlling the fermentation and carbonation processes.
Plastic and Injection Molding
Small industrial chillers for plastics are essential in plastic molding. They help cool molds quickly and uniformly. This results in shorter cycle times and improved precision in molded plastic parts.
Laser machines
Small liquid chillers are cooling the laser tubes and other components producing heat in the laser machines. By regulating the temperature of the laser tube, liquid chillers enhance the stability and consistency of the laser beam. These machines can be in the medical industry, manufacturing, or construction.
Water-cooled condensers
Small liquid chillers are useful in cooling water-cooled condensers. These condensers extract heat from refrigerant vapor in an air conditioning system. By cooling the condenser, the performance of the air conditioning system is improved, enhancing its efficiency.
Machine tooling and manufacturing
Liquid chillers regulate the temperature of cutting tools during machining processes. They improve the manufacturing processes. Temperature control in machining reduces thermal expansion, resulting in improved precision.
Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry
In the medical and pharmaceutical industry, small liquid chillers are used to cool incubators and bioreactors. Maintaining the right temperature is essential for successful chemical reactions and cell activities. Also, small liquid chillers are used in laboratories. They cool analytical instruments and microscopes to ensure precision, reliability, and stable operation of the laboratory equipment.
Indoor climate control systems
Small liquid chillers are useful in indoor climate control. They are used in different buildings including commercial, and industrial to regulate room temperatures and humidity.
Business buyers looking to invest in small liquid cooling chillers for commercial use must consider several essential factors.
Capacity:
Determine the cooling capacity of the chillers. It is usually expressed in tons or kilowatts and indicates how much heat the chiller can remove from the liquid per unit of time. Calculate the cooling load requirements for the specific application to choose a chiller with an appropriate capacity.
Operating Temperature Range:
Consider the temperature range at which the liquid needs to be cooled. Different small liquid chillers have different temperature ranges. Choose a chiller that can achieve the desired temperature within the necessary timeframe.
Energy Efficiency:
Evaluate the energy efficiency of the chiller, typically represented by its Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) or Coefficient of Performance (COP). Selecting a small liquid chiller with high energy efficiency helps to minimize operating costs and environmental impact.
Cooling Method:
Decide on the preferred cooling method of the chiller, such as air-cooled or water-cooled. Consider factors like available space, noise levels, and the facility's capacity to provide sufficient water for a water-cooled chiller, which requires a constant supply of water. An air-cooled chiller is more suitable for small spaces, while a water-cooled chiller is more efficient for larger cooling needs.
Installation Requirements:
Examine the installation requirements of the small liquid coolers. Consider factors like space constraints, weight, and dimensions to ensure the chiller can be easily integrated into the existing infrastructure.
Noise Level:
Check the noise level generated by the liquid cooler chiller. Consider choosing a chiller with a low noise level or an additional soundproof device for application areas sensitive to noise.
Q: What is the difference between a chiller and a Cooler?
A: Chillers and coolers have the same function of removing heat from liquid. While chillers utilize a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle to accomplish the task, coolers may use varied methods, including thermoelectric modules, to cool liquids.
Q: What is the difference between a chiller and a refrigerator?
A: Chillers and refrigerators both use similar refrigeration cycles to remove heat. While refrigerators are typically designed to maintain low temperatures inside cabinets and are used for household and commercial applications. Chilllers are larger units designed to cool liquids used in industrial processes.
Q: Do chillers consume a lot of electricity?
A: While small air-cooled liquid chillers will consume a fair bit of electricity, larger industrial cooling systems are more energy-efficient. Their massive size means that each system is able to produce far more cool air, which works out to a lower cost per unit of cool air.